Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012 homes
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Letters of Credit and Completion Bonds	$ 63,238,000	$ 63,238,000
Outstanding Performance and Maintenance Bonds	17,088,000	17,088,000
Performance letters of credit outstanding	30,407,000	30,407,000
Financial Letters of Credit	9,450,000	9,450,000
Financial Letters of Credit representing deposits on land and lot purchase agreements	2,771,000	2,771,000
Financial Bonds	6,293,000	6,293,000
Number of Homes with Defective Drywall		93
Number of Drywall Homes That Have Been Repaired		88
Number of Drywall Homes In Process of Being Repaired		2
Defective drywall accrual	13,000,000	13,000,000
Remaining drywall accrual balance	700,000	700,000
Proceeds from Legal Settlements	(3,000,000)
Unrecorded Conditional Purchase Obligation	$ 195,556,000	$ 195,556,000